JP2009282414A - Image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively display characters and diagrams which are formed on a transparent plate. <P>SOLUTION: Transparent display plates, on whose surfaces light-scattering regions having prescribed shapes are formed, are laminated to form a laminated display body, and light is made incident from the end surfaces of the respective display plates, to make the light-scattering regions of the respective display plates luminous. The plurality of display plates which is constituted of the laminated display body are laminated, while the protrusion parts formed on their surfaces make gaps between the plates. According to this, the light made incident from the end surface of each of the display plates passes by only having to go through the display plate, while repeating total reflection on the surface of each of the display plates; and for this reason, the light will not enter the adjacent display plates and will not make their light-scattered regions luminous. Consequently, only the light-scattering region of a display plate, into which light is made incident, is clearly luminous. Accordingly, alterations of display contents or displays of intricate, and complex diagrams can be displayed effectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device that displays characters, figures, and the like on a transparent plate.

  Various techniques have been proposed for forming characters and figures on a transparent plate and displaying these letters and figures using light. Many of the techniques try to illuminate and display characters and figures formed on the transparent plate by irradiating light from the back side of the transparent plate. On the other hand, a technique has also been proposed in which characters and figures are lit up by introducing light into the transparent plate from the side of the transparent plate.

  For example, a layer (decoration layer) depicting figures and the like is formed on the back side of the acrylic resin plate, and the decoration layer is drawn by illuminating the decoration layer with light introduced from the side surface of the acrylic resin plate. There has been proposed a technique for displaying a figure (Patent Document 1). Alternatively, a technique is proposed in which a figure is drawn by digging a groove having a substantially triangular cross section on the surface of the transparent plate, and the figure is displayed by shining the groove with light introduced from the side of the transparent plate (Patent Document). 2).

  According to these proposed techniques, it is possible to display characters and figures much more easily than methods using dedicated equipment such as so-called liquid crystal screens. In addition, since light is guided from the side surface of the transparent plate, the display portion can be made thinner than the method of irradiating light from the back surface.

JP-A-10-006872 Japanese Patent No. 3864342

  However, these proposed techniques are merely simple display techniques, and there is a problem that it is difficult to display effectively. That is, since the characters and figures formed on the transparent plate are merely displayed and illuminated, the display contents cannot be changed, and the display is inevitably monotonous. In order to compensate for this, when trying to display a graphic with detailed characters and graphics, a portion where light does not reach well or a portion where light is excessive is generated, which makes the display itself difficult. For this reason, there has been a problem that it is merely possible to display relatively simple characters and figures simply, and effective display cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in response to the above-described problems in the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of effectively displaying characters and figures formed on a transparent plate.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the display device of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
In a display device that displays predetermined items on a transparent display board,
A laminated display body formed by laminating a plurality of the display plates;
A light incident part for entering light from the end face of each display plate constituting the laminated display body toward the inside of the display plate,
The laminated display body is a display body that is laminated in a state in which a gap is formed between the adjacent display plates by a plurality of convex portions provided at intervals on the surface of the display plate,
A light scattering region for scattering light reaching the surface from the inside of the display plate is formed in a predetermined shape on the surface of each display plate constituting the laminated display body.

  In such a display device of the present invention, a laminated display body is formed by forming a light scattering region of a predetermined shape on the surface of a transparent display plate and laminating these display plates. Next, light is incident from the end face of each display panel, so that the light scattering region formed on each display panel is illuminated. Here, the plurality of display panels constituting the laminated display body are laminated in a state where gaps are formed by the convex portions formed on the surface.

  If it does in this way, when light will enter from the end surface of the display board which comprises a laminated display body, light will advance only in the display board, repeating complete reflection on the surface of the incident display board. Therefore, it does not enter the adjacent display board. For this reason, only the light scattering region of the display panel on which the light is incident can be clearly illuminated. As a result, for example, the display content can be switched by switching the display plate on which light is incident. Of course, at this time, since the light does not enter the display panel where no light is incident and the light scattering area does not dimly shine, only the light scattering area of the display board to be illuminated can be clearly illuminated. . Or if it is as follows, it will become possible to display a complicated complicated figure. First, a figure to be displayed is divided into simpler shapes, and a light scattering region of each shape is formed on the display board. Then, after laminating the display panels, if light is incident from the end face of each display panel and the respective light scattering regions are illuminated, it is possible to clearly illuminate complicated complicated figures.

  In addition, since the adjacent display panels are separated from each other by the projections formed on the surface, the gap between the display panels can be made extremely thin. Furthermore, the thickness of the display panel itself can be sufficiently reduced. For this reason, a complicated figure is displayed in a mode in which different figures are displayed one after another on one laminated display body without being conscious of the fact that a plurality of display panels are laminated. It is possible to display in such a manner. As a result, according to the display device of the present invention, it is possible to perform an effective display such as changing display contents or displaying complicated complicated graphics clearly.

  In the display device of the present invention, convex portions may be provided at positions of at least four corners of the display plate.

  When the area of the display board is small, the figure to be displayed is also small, so it is often observed from a relatively close distance. When observed from near, the convex portions formed on the surface of the display panel are easily noticed. However, even when the area of the display panel is small, the positions of the four corners of the display panel are relatively unnoticeable, so that the convex portions can be formed almost without being noticed at the four corners of the display panel. It becomes. In addition, when the area of the display panel is small, the deflection of the display panel itself is also small. Therefore, if protrusions are provided at least at the four corners, a gap can be secured between the display panels. On the other hand, if the area of the display panel is large, the display panel itself may bend greatly.Therefore, it may be impossible to secure a gap between the display panels only by providing convex portions at the four corners. In such a case, there may be a case where a convex portion must be provided at a location other than the four corners (for example, the center of the display panel). However, as the area of the display plate increases, the displayed figure also increases, and accordingly, it is often observed from a relatively long distance. When observing from a distance, even if convex portions are formed at locations other than the four corners of the display panel, they are hardly noticed.

  In the display device of the present invention described above, the convex portion may be formed by attaching a resin material to the surface of the display plate by printing.

  If a resin material is attached by printing, very small convex portions can be easily formed at a plurality of very accurate positions. As the resin material used at this time, a resin material that is cured by ultraviolet rays, a resin material that is cured by applying heat higher than room temperature, or a resin material that is cured by reacting with oxygen can be used. If such a resin material is used, after the resin material is attached to the surface of the display panel, the resin material can be rapidly cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays, applying heat, or blowing oxygen. Therefore, it is possible to quickly and easily form a convex portion having a stable shape.

  In the display device of the present invention described above, the following may be performed. First, a laminated display body is formed by laminating at least three display panels. Then, red light can be incident on at least one of the display panels, green light can be incident on at least one other display panel, and blue light can be incident on the remaining at least one display panel. It may be possible.

  As is well known, various colors can be displayed by combining red, green, and blue light. Therefore, light scattering regions of appropriate shapes are formed on the surfaces of the three display panels, and red, green, and blue light are incident to light the respective light scattering regions to display a color image. It is also possible to do. In addition, in the display device of the present invention, as described above, the gap between the display panels can be extremely thin, and the thickness of the display panel itself can be sufficiently reduced. For this reason, it is possible to display a color image with a natural impression without being conscious of displaying red, green, and blue figures on separate display boards.

  Moreover, in the display device of the present invention described above, the side surface formed by stacking a plurality of display plates may be covered with a cover member.

  The plurality of display panels constituting the stacked display body are stacked in a state where gaps are formed by a plurality of convex portions provided on the surface. For this reason, there is a possibility that foreign matters such as dust, dust, and moisture may enter between the display plates from the side surface of the multilayer display body. And since a clearance gap is narrow, when a foreign material enters, it is difficult to remove. Therefore, it is preferable to cover the side surface of the multilayer display body with a cover member because it is possible to avoid foreign matter from entering between the display plates.

  Further, in such a display device of the present invention, the inner surface side of the cover member, that is, the surface facing the side surface of the multilayer display body may be configured to reflect light.

  The light incident from the end face of the display panel is not used to make all the light shine in the light scattering region, and a part of the light is emitted from the other end face to the outside of the display board. Therefore, if the inner surface side of the cover member reflects light, the light emitted from the end face of the display panel can be returned to the inside of the display panel again, and the light scattering region can be made brighter. This is preferable.

In addition, the display device of the present invention can be particularly suitably applied as a display device that notifies various contents to a player who has selected a gaming machine in a game hall. In view of these points, the display device of the present invention can be grasped as a display device used together with a gaming machine in a game hall. That is, the display device of the present invention having such an aspect is
In a display device that is used together with a gaming machine in a game hall and displays predetermined items on a transparent display board
A base portion provided between the gaming machines installed adjacent to each other;
A laminated display body which is erected from the base portion between the adjacent gaming machines and is configured by laminating a plurality of the display boards;
A light incident part for entering light from the end face of each display plate constituting the laminated display body toward the inside of the display plate,
The laminated display body is a display body that is laminated in a state in which a gap is formed between the adjacent display plates by a plurality of convex portions provided at intervals on the surface of the display plate,
A light scattering region for scattering light reaching the surface from the inside of the display plate is formed in a predetermined shape on the surface of each display plate constituting the laminated display body.

  In the display device of this aspect of the present invention, a stacked display body configured by stacking transparent display plates is erected between adjacent gaming machines. Further, a light scattering region is formed in a predetermined shape on the surface of each display plate constituting the multilayer display body, and light is incident on the inside of the display plate from the end face of the display plate, thereby causing the light scattering region to shine. It is possible. Here, these display panels are stacked in a state where a gap is formed between the adjacent display panels by a plurality of convex portions provided on the surface at intervals.

  For this reason, it becomes possible to display clearly the light-scattering area | region formed in each display board. In addition, a laminated display body in which a plurality of display panels are stacked is erected between gaming machines, and in addition, the laminated display body can be seen from the other side, so a gaming machine is selected in the gaming hall. It is possible to easily grasp the display contents on each display device from a player who is present. For this reason, various display contents can be easily recognized even by a player who has selected a gaming machine in the gaming hall.

Hereinafter, in order to clarify the contents of the present invention described above, examples will be described in the following order.
A. Device configuration:
B. Graphic display principle:
C. Lamination method of transparent plate:
D. Variations:
D-1. First modification:
D-2. Second modification:
D-3. Third modification:

A. Device configuration :
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the display device 100 of this embodiment is installed in a game hall together with the gaming machine 12. As is well known, in the game hall, a plurality of gaming machines are arranged in a lump so as to constitute an “island”. In FIG. 1, only three gaming machines 12 are extracted from the plurality of gaming machines 12 constituting the island 10 and displayed. A base 20 is provided between the gaming machine 12 and the gaming machine 12, and the display device 100 according to the present embodiment is erected from the base 20, and is between the gaming machine 12 and the gaming machine 12. It is provided in a state of partitioning. As will be described in detail later, the display device 100 of this embodiment is mainly configured by a transparent plate formed of a transparent material such as acrylic resin or glass. For this reason, even if the gaming machine 12 and the gaming machine 12 are partitioned by the display device 100, it is possible to see from the end of the island 10 to the other side without being blocked. And, as will be described later, by displaying characters and figures so as to be raised, it is possible to perform an effective display even for a player who has selected a gaming machine in the gaming hall. .

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the display device 100 is provided between the gaming machine 12 and the gaming machine 12. As shown in the drawing, a gaming machine (or game medal or the like) lending machine 14 and a base 20 to which the display device 100 is attached are provided next to the gaming machine 12, and are erected from the base 20. A display device 100 is provided. Then, the gaming machine 12, the lending machine 14, and the base 20 (display device 100) are set as one set, and this set is repeated to form one island 10. Note that the order of the gaming machine 12, the rental machine 14, and the base 20 (display device 100) is not limited to the order shown in FIG. 2, and for example, the rental machine 14, the gaming machine 12, and the base 20 (display device). It is also possible to arrange them in the order of 100).

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the display device 100 of this embodiment is attached to the base 20. As shown in the drawing, the display device 100 according to the present embodiment roughly has a structure in which an LED unit 106 is attached to one end side of a laminated display body 101 in which a plurality of transparent plates are laminated. The base 20 is mainly configured by a metal frame 22. A longitudinally elongated opening is provided on the front side of the frame body 22, and a metal guide rail 24 is attached to the upper end and the lower end of the opening so as to be drawn out. Also, metal guide rails 26 are attached to the upper and lower ends of the laminated display body 101, and the display device 100 can be attached to the frame body 22 by fitting the guide rails 26 into the guide rails 24. It has become.

  The laminated display body 101 of the display device 100 is fixed to the guide rail 26, but the guide rail 26 is slidable with respect to the guide rail 24, and the guide rail 24 is further relative to the frame body 22. It is slidable. For this reason, almost the entire surface of the multilayer display body 101 can be pulled out from the frame body 22, and conversely, the entire display device 100 can be accommodated in the frame body 22. The guide rail 24 is provided with a lock mechanism (not shown) so that even if the guide rail 24 is pulled out more than half of the base 20, the guide rail 24 is locked and cannot be pulled out any further. It has become. The guide rail 26 is also provided with a lock mechanism (not shown). For this reason, it is configured so that it is locked when almost the entire surface of the multilayer display body 101 is pulled out, and the multilayer display body 101 cannot be pulled out any further.

  Further, when the LED unit 106 provided at the end portion of the multilayer display body 101 is turned on, light can be incident from the end surface of the transparent plate constituting the multilayer display body 101 toward the inside of the transparent plate. Yes. Furthermore, desired characters or figures are printed on the surface of each transparent plate using transparent ink. In FIG. 3, a state in which a figure is printed on the transparent plate on the near side using transparent ink is represented by a thin broken line.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a rough structure of the display device 100 of the present embodiment. In the illustrated example, the laminated display body 101 is formed by laminating two transparent plates 102a and 102b. The transparent plates 102a and 102b have a plate thickness of about 2 mm and are formed of a transparent material such as acrylic resin or glass. Further, characters and figures are formed on the surfaces of the respective transparent plates 102a and 102b. Since these characters and graphics are printed using transparent ink, at first glance, it is difficult to notice that the characters and graphics are printed.

  Further, LED units 106a and 106b are provided at the ends of the transparent plates 102a and 102b, respectively. As described above, since the characters and figures on the transparent plates 102a and 102b are printed with transparent ink, the LED units 106a provided on the transparent plates 102a and 102b are hardly noticeable at first glance. When the light 106b is turned on and light enters the inside of each of the transparent plates 102a and 102b, characters and figures printed with transparent ink appear to float.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the structures of the transparent plate 102 and the LED unit 106 incorporated in the display device 100 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5A, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 106 </ b> L are mounted in a row toward the end surface of the transparent plate 102 inside the LED unit 106 provided at the end of the transparent plate 102. Has been. For this reason, by making these light emitting diodes 106 </ b> L emit light, light can be incident on the inside from the end face of the transparent plate 102.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, characters, figures, and the like are printed on the surface of the transparent plate 102 with transparent ink. FIG. 5B shows a state in which an ink layer 103 made of transparent ink is formed on the surface of the transparent plate 102 by printing characters, figures, and the like. The characters and figures may be printed on the transparent sheet 104 instead of being printed directly on the surface of the transparent plate 102 and the transparent sheet 104 may be attached to the transparent plate 102. FIG. 5C shows a state where a transparent sheet 104 on which characters and figures are printed is pasted on the transparent plate 102. If the transparent sheet 104 is pasted in this way, the display content can be easily changed simply by pasting the transparent sheet 104.

  If characters and figures are printed with transparent ink, it is possible to hardly notice that characters and figures are printed in a normal state. However, when the light emitting diode 106L is turned on and light is incident on each transparent plate 102 constituting the multilayer display body 101, the letters and figures will emerge even though they are printed with transparent ink. It can be displayed. Hereinafter, a mechanism for displaying characters and figures printed with transparent ink so as to emerge will be described.

B. Graphic display principle:
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the principle that the transparent ink layer 103 formed on the surface of the transparent plate 102 is displayed so as to float. As shown in FIG. 6A, when a light emitting diode 106 </ b> L is provided at the end of the transparent plate 102 and light is incident on the inside from the end surface of the transparent plate 102, most of the incident light is incident on the transparent plate 102. Proceeds inside and intersects the surface of the transparent plate 102 at a shallow angle. In this way, the light that intersects the surface of the transparent plate 102 at a shallow angle does not transmit to the outside even if it reaches the surface of the transparent plate 102, and all the light is reflected by the surface, so that the transparent plate again. Proceeds through 102 and now reflects off the opposite surface. Thus, the light propagates through the transparent plate 102 while repeating the reflection. Such a phenomenon is a phenomenon that appears as an aspect of light refraction, and is sometimes referred to as “complete reflection”. In the display device 100 of the present embodiment, the phenomenon called complete reflection is used to highlight characters and figures printed with transparent ink. Therefore, a phenomenon called complete reflection will be briefly described.

  FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing how light is refracted. The refraction of light is a phenomenon that occurs when light tries to pass through the boundary surface between two media having different refractive indexes, and is summarized as “Snell's law”. Here, the refractive index is a physical property value related to the ease of passage of light in the medium. According to Snell's law, when light traveling in a medium with a certain refractive index reaches the boundary with a medium with a different refractive index, some of the light is reflected at the boundary and the rest of the light is It passes through the boundary surface and travels through a medium having a different refractive index. At this time, the light reflected at the boundary surface is reflected in a direction in which the angle at which the light is incident on the boundary surface (incident angle θi) and the angle at which the light is reflected from the boundary surface (reflection angle θr) are equal. Here, the incident angle θi is usually expressed by an angle between a normal line from the boundary surface and the traveling direction of light (incident light) incident on the boundary surface, and the reflection angle θr is the boundary angle It is represented by an angle between the normal of the surface and the traveling direction of the light reflected by the boundary surface (reflected light).

The traveling direction of light (transmitted light) traveling through a medium having a different refractive index travels through the downstream medium, where n1 is the refractive index of the upstream medium and n2 is the refractive index of the downstream medium. If the angle of transmitted light (transmission angle θt),
n1 · sinθi = n2 · sinθt
Travels in the downstream medium in the direction of the transmission angle θt that satisfies the above. Here, the transmission angle θt is represented by an angle between the normal line of the boundary surface between the media having different refractive indexes and the traveling direction of the transmitted light. FIG. 6B conceptually shows a state in which a part of the incident light is reflected and the remaining light travels through different media as transmitted light according to Snell's law. For example, when light traveling through an acrylic resin plate reaches the surface of the resin, the light travels in the air after the traveling direction is bent at the surface portion according to Snell's law. Here, the refractive index of acrylic resin is about 1.5 and the refractive index of air is about 1.0, which corresponds to the case of entering from a medium with a high refractive index into a low medium. The light travels in the air with its traveling direction being bent in a direction approaching the boundary surface (that is, the surface of the acrylic resin). Conversely, when light traveling in the air enters the acrylic resin from a low refractive index medium, the light traveling direction is bent in a direction away from the boundary surface. Will be.

  From the above Snell's law, when light traveling in a medium with a high refractive index reaches the boundary with a medium with a low refractive index, there is a special condition that all light is reflected. I understand that. That is, as described above, when light travels from a medium having a high refractive index to a medium having a low refractive index, the light traveling in the downstream medium travels slightly toward the boundary surface with respect to the incident direction. The direction is bent. Therefore, when the angle of light incident on the boundary surface is gradually laid down (incident angle θi is increased), the direction of light transmitted beyond the boundary surface is bent in a direction approaching the boundary surface by Snell's law. Therefore, when the incident angle θi is reached, the traveling direction of the transmitted light becomes parallel to the boundary surface. Such a state is a state in which light cannot enter the downstream medium. Furthermore, when light is incident on the boundary surface more than the incident angle θi (at a large angle incident angle θi), it means that all the light is reflected on the boundary surface. FIG. 6C conceptually shows such a state. Further, the incident angle θi in such a state (a state in which the transmitted light travels in parallel with the boundary surface) is called a critical angle θc.

  On the other hand, when light is about to travel from a medium having a low refractive index to a medium having a high refractive index, the light transmitted through the interface is bent in a direction away from the interface by Snell's law. For this reason, a state where the traveling direction of the transmitted light is parallel to the boundary surface cannot occur, and there is no critical angle θc.

  As described above, when light is going to be emitted from a medium having a high refractive index into a medium having a low refractive index, the critical angle θc can be considered, and the critical angle θc is larger than the critical angle θc with respect to the boundary surface. When light is incident (that is, laid down on the boundary surface), all the light is reflected by the boundary surface and cannot enter into a medium having a low refractive index. In the present specification, such a condition is referred to as a “complete reflection condition”. By the way, when light is going to be emitted from the acrylic resin (refractive index is about 1.5) into the air (refractive index is about 1.0), the critical angle θc is about 42 degrees.

  In the display device 100 according to the present embodiment, the light from the light emitting diode 106L is efficiently guided to the ink layer 103 printed on the surface of the transparent plate 102 by using the above-described complete reflection condition. Is supposed to shine. That is, the transparent plate 102 is made of a transparent material such as acrylic resin or glass, and these materials are all media having a refractive index larger than that of air. When light is incident from the end face of the thin transparent plate 102, most of the incident light travels at a shallow angle (with a large incident angle) with respect to the surface of the transparent plate 102. Eventually, of the light incident from the end face, the light incident at an incident angle larger than the critical angle θc with respect to the surface of the transparent plate 102 is satisfied, and as a result, much of the light incident from the end face is satisfied. Will travel inside the transparent plate 102 while repeatedly reflecting on the surface of the transparent plate 102.

  In FIG. 6A, a state where light incident from the end face of the transparent plate 102 travels inside the transparent plate 102 while being repeatedly reflected on the surface of the transparent plate 102 is shown by a thick broken line or a thick one-dot chain line. It is represented by an arrow. In addition, in the vicinity of the end face, there is also light incident on the surface of the transparent plate 102 at an angle smaller than the critical angle θc (that is, from a direction perpendicular to the surface). An arrow indicated by a thin two-dot chain line in FIG. 6A illustrates light incident on the surface of the transparent plate 102 at an angle smaller than the critical angle θc. For such light, since the condition of complete reflection is not satisfied, a part of the light passes through the surface of the transparent plate 102 and travels into the air, and the remaining light is reflected inside the transparent plate 102. The reflected light passes through the inside of the transparent plate 102 and reaches the surface on the opposite side, and a part of the light travels in the air on this surface, and the remaining light is reflected and passes through the inside of the transparent plate 102 again. pass. Light that does not satisfy the conditions for complete reflection is attenuated by repeating this process, so that it almost disappears until it slightly travels from the end face. In the area beyond that, only the light that satisfies the condition of complete reflection travels inside the transparent plate 102.

  Thus, the light traveling inside the transparent plate 102 eventually reaches an area where the ink layer 103 of characters and figures is formed on the surface of the transparent plate 102. Since the material of the ink layer is different from the material of the transparent plate 102, the refractive index is also different, but the refractive index of the transparent plate 102 and the ink layer 103 is large compared to the difference between the transparent plate 102 and air. (In fact, it is slightly larger than the refractive index of the transparent plate 102. For example, if the transparent plate 102 is made of an acrylic material, the refractive index of acrylic is about 1.5. The refractive index is preferably about 1.6). For this reason, the light that reaches the boundary surface between the transparent plate 102 and the ink layer 103 passes through the boundary surface as it is without being bent in the traveling direction, and reaches the surface of the ink layer 103.

  Here, the surface of the ink layer 103 has irregularities when viewed microscopically, and the angle of the surface varies depending on the location. For this reason, a portion where the condition of complete reflection is broken occurs on the surface of the ink layer 103, and a part of light is transmitted from the surface of the ink layer 103 and leaks to the outside. Further, the remaining light is reflected by the surface of the ink layer 103 and returns to the transparent plate 102 side. However, the condition of complete reflection is not always satisfied for this light. For this reason, for the same reason as the phenomenon occurring near the end face of the transparent plate 102, light is gradually transmitted to the outside each time reflection on the surface is repeated, and light propagating inside the transparent plate 102 is attenuated. To go. As described above, the light traveling inside the transparent plate 102 while being repeatedly reflected on the surface of the transparent plate 102 under the condition of complete reflection reaches the ink layer 103 and is completely reflected by a part of the surface of the ink layer 103. The above condition is broken, and light gradually leaks to the outside. As a result, the portion of the ink layer 103 appears to shine brightly. On the other hand, light does not leak from the surface of the transparent plate 102 in the region upstream of the ink layer 103, that is, in the region that is traveling inside the transparent plate 102 while satisfying the condition of complete reflection. So it doesn't look shining.

  Further, when the incidence of light from the end face of the transparent plate 102 is stopped, the ink layer 103 (that is, a character or graphic portion) does not shine. When the ink layer 103 does not shine, a transparent ink layer is only formed on the transparent transparent plate 102, so that at first glance, the ink layer 103 is not noticed. . In this state, when light is incident from the end face of the transparent plate 102, only the portion on which the ink layer 103 is formed shines brightly on the transparent transparent plate 102, and it looks as if it is floating. .

  In FIG. 6A, after the light that does not satisfy the perfect reflection condition is attenuated in the vicinity of the end face of the transparent plate 102, only the light that satisfies the perfect reflection condition repeats reflection, and the inside of the transparent plate 102 is reflected. The area that propagates is indicated as “light propagation area”. Further, a region where the condition of complete reflection of light propagating from the light propagation region is broken and a part of light leaks to the outside little by little (that is, a region where the ink layer 103 is formed) is referred to as “light scattering region”. Is displayed.

  The same applies not only when characters and figures are printed with transparent ink on the surface of the transparent plate 102, but also when the transparent sheet 104 with characters and figures printed with transparent ink is pasted on the surface of the transparent plate 102. Due to this phenomenon, characters and figures can be illuminated. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the reason why characters and figures can be displayed with light even when a transparent sheet 104 on which characters and figures are printed with transparent ink is pasted on the surface of the transparent plate 102. Since the refractive index of the transparent sheet 104 is substantially the same as the refractive index of the transparent plate 102, the light traveling inside the transparent plate 102 goes straight as it reaches the portion where the transparent sheet 104 is attached. Thus, the surface of the transparent sheet 104 is reached. Here, since the surface of the transparent sheet 104 is as flat as the transparent plate 102, characters and figures are not printed on the surface of the transparent sheet 104 (that is, the ink layer 103 is not formed) Similar to the surface of the transparent plate 102, the condition of complete reflection is satisfied. As a result, all the light is reflected on the surface of the transparent sheet 104, passes through the transparent sheet 104, travels through the transparent plate 102, and is completely reflected again on the opposite surface. Even when the transparent sheet 104 is attached to the surface of the transparent plate 102, the light incident from the end face of the transparent plate 102 proceeds in this way while repeating complete reflection. Then, when reaching the portion where the ink layer 103 is formed on the surface of the transparent sheet 104, light leaks little by little for the same reason as described above with reference to FIG. Only the part appears to shine.

  Also, rather than relying on the unevenness formed on the surface of the ink layer 103, the ink layer 103 is made to shine by slightly mixing fine particles in the transparent ink and scattering the light using the fine particles. Anyway. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the ink layer 103 is shined by using the fine particles 103p. The ink layer 103 in which the fine particles 103p are dispersed can be formed by slightly mixing the fine particles 103p in the transparent ink and printing characters or figures on the transparent plate 102 or the transparent sheet 104 using this ink. . FIG. 8A shows a state where the ink layer 103 in which the fine particles 103p are dispersed is formed on the surface of the transparent plate 102. FIG. FIG. 8B shows a state in which such an ink layer 103 is formed on the surface of the transparent sheet 104.

  In any of the cases shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the light incident from the end face of the transparent plate 102 is transmitted from the ink layer 103 in the same manner as described above with reference to FIGS. Propagation is repeated while repeating complete reflection in a region that is not formed (that is, a light propagation region). When the ink layer 103 is formed, the inside of the ink layer 103 is advanced. Since the fine particles 103p are dispersed in the ink layer 103, a part of the light passing through the ink layer 103 collides with the fine particles 103p and is scattered around. As a result, the entire ink layer 103 can be illuminated.

  As described above, in the method of making the ink layer 103 shine by dispersing the fine particles 103p, the brightness when the ink layer 103 is shined can be adjusted by the concentration of the fine particles 103p. Of course, when the concentration of the fine particles 103p is increased, the transparent ink has a whitish color. However, even if the concentration of the fine particles 103p is not increased to that extent (until the whitish color is given), the ink layer 103 is lit with sufficient brightness. It is possible.

C. Lamination method of transparent plate:
The structure of the transparent plate 102 and the LED unit 106 used in the display device 100 of the present embodiment has been described in detail above. As described above, the display device 100 of the present embodiment uses the multilayer display body 101 in which a plurality of such transparent plates 102 are laminated. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, by forming different characters and figures on each transparent plate 102, the display content can be changed, or a figure in which characters and figures are intricately displayed can be displayed. Is possible. However, even if a plurality of transparent plates 102 are simply laminated, characters and figures formed on each transparent plate 102 cannot be clearly displayed. Therefore, in the display device 100 of the present embodiment, the transparent plate 102 is laminated by a special method. Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a problem that occurs when a plurality of transparent plates 102 are simply laminated. When the transparent plates 102 are simply laminated, the adjacent transparent plates 102 are in close contact with each other. Therefore, when light enters from the end face of a certain transparent plate 102 and propagates through the inside of the transparent plate 102, the light gradually enters the adjacent transparent plate 102. In FIG. 9, light propagating through one transparent plate 102a is indicated by a thick broken line, and light that has entered the adjacent transparent plate 102b is indicated by a thin broken line. As a result, when the characters and figures formed on one transparent plate 102a are illuminated, the characters and figures formed on the adjacent transparent plate 102b are also dimly illuminated, and the intended characters and figures are clearly displayed. I can't.

  In addition, since the actual transparent plate 102 cannot be formed in a completely flat surface, if the transparent plates 102 are simply laminated, they are in close contact with a portion where a slight gap is formed between the adjacent transparent plates 102. The part that occurs is mottled. Therefore, only the part where the adjacent transparent plates 102 are in close contact with each other shines gently and mottled, resulting in a great loss of appearance.

  Of course, if the gap between adjacent transparent plates 102 is filled with a transparent resin or completely adhered with a transparent adhesive, the problem of the letters and figures on the adjacent transparent plates 102 shining mottled is avoided. can do. However, in this case as well, there is no change in the light entering the adjacent transparent plate 102, so the characters and figures on the adjacent transparent plate 102b are also dimly illuminated, and the intended characters and figures are clearly displayed. It cannot be displayed. In addition, filling the transparent plate 102 with resin or adhesive causes the following new problem. That is, the refractive index of the resin or adhesive filled between the transparent plates 102 is strictly different from the refractive index of the transparent plate 102, and the thickness of the gap formed between the transparent plates 102 is also constant. is not. For this reason, an unintended striped pattern called “Newton ring” appears due to the interference of light, and the appearance may be greatly impaired.

  As described above, simply laminating a plurality of transparent plates 102 causes various problems, and characters and figures formed on the transparent plate 102 cannot be clearly displayed. Therefore, in the display device 100 of the present embodiment, a plurality of transparent plates 102 are stacked by the following method, so that characters and figures formed on the respective transparent plates 102 can be clearly displayed. Yes.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a method of laminating the transparent plate 102 in the display device 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10 (a), in this embodiment, a plurality of small convex portions 108 are formed on the surface of the transparent plate 102 so as to be spaced from each other. When the transparent plates 102 are stacked, the convex portions By 108, a gap is formed between the surfaces of the transparent plate 102.

  It is sufficient that the height of the convex portion 108 is several μm, and the size of the convex portion 108 may be extremely small so as to match this. In the display device 100 of the present embodiment, considering that the surface of the transparent plate 102 may be slightly bent, the protrusions 108 having a height of about 50 μm and a diameter of about 50 μm are arranged with an interval of about 100 mm. It is vacant and formed almost uniformly. If the size of the convex portion 108 is increased, the interval can be further increased. In FIG. 10, the convex portion 108 is displayed larger than the actual size.

  In addition, in order to form such fine convex portions 108 substantially uniformly, in this embodiment, the convex portions are printed by printing on the surface of the transparent plate 102 using ink that is cured by ultraviolet rays (so-called UV ink). 108 is formed. Since the UV ink is quickly cured by ultraviolet rays on the surface of the transparent plate 102, it is possible to form a plurality of convex portions 108 having a uniform height and size at the exact positions as intended. Further, since the UV ink is transparent even when it is cured, it is advantageous in that the convex portion 108 formed on the transparent plate 102 becomes more inconspicuous. Of course, as long as the ink is cured quickly, it is not limited to UV ink, and for example, ink cured by oxygen in the atmosphere or ink cured by temperature can be used.

  In the display device 100 of the present embodiment, the laminated display body 101 is configured by laminating the transparent plate 102 having the projections 108 formed on the surface thereof. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10B, an air layer gap is formed between adjacent transparent plates 102, so that light propagating in the transparent plate 102a enters the transparent plate 102b, or The light propagating through the transparent plate 102b does not enter the transparent plate 102a.

  FIG. 11 shows a state in which a plurality of convex portions 108 are formed on the surface of the transparent plate 102. Also in FIG. 11, the size of the convex portion 108 is displayed larger than the actual size. Since the convex part 108 is very small, as shown in FIG. 11, the character and figure printed on the transparent board 102 can be formed substantially without impairing. Further, if the height of the convex portion 108 is set slightly higher as necessary, the interval between the convex portions 108 can be widened, so the convex portion 108 is formed at a position avoiding characters and figures. It is also possible. If the transparent plates 102 having the convex portions 108 formed on the surface are laminated in this way, the light does not enter the adjacent transparent plates 102, and as a result, the characters formed on the transparent plate 102 where the light is incident from the end face. It is possible to shine only clearly and clearly. For this reason, by switching the LED unit 106 to be lit, it is possible to perform effective and varied display such as switching display contents on the display device 100.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which display contents are switched using the display device 100 of the present embodiment. As described above with reference to FIG. 4, in the display device 100 according to the present embodiment, a large character “Landou” is printed on the transparent plate 102a on the back side with transparent ink, and the transparent plate 102b on the front side is printed. A graphic showing a ball box containing a game ball (sometimes called a dollar box) is printed with transparent ink. Then, the LED unit 106a on the back side is turned on, and light is incident on the back side transparent plate 102a from the end surface, so that the characters “in the ream” are raised, and the light enters the transparent plate 102b on the near side. In this way, the figure of the “ball box” can be raised and displayed. At this time, for example, the “ball box” figure may appear blurry when displaying “Longzhao”, or the word “renzhao” when the “ball box” shape is displayed. There is no such thing as dimly visible. As a result, it is possible to clearly display characters and figures formed on each transparent plate 102 clearly.

  In addition, since characters and figures formed on each transparent plate 102 can be clearly displayed, even a detailed figure can be clearly displayed. First, the figure is broken down into relatively simple figures. Then, each disassembled graphic is formed on the transparent plate 102 one by one. That is, the figure formed on each transparent plate 102 is relatively simple, but when these transparent plates 102 are overlapped, the figure is made intricately intricate. If light is incident from the end of the transparent plate 102 on which each figure is formed in this way and these figures are made to shine at the same time, even a complicated figure can be clearly displayed. It becomes.

  Of course, since one figure is divided and displayed on a plurality of transparent plates 102, it is difficult to recognize one figure if the interval between the transparent plates 102 is wide. However, the transparent plate 102 can be made sufficiently thin (about 2 mm in this embodiment), and in addition, the gap between the transparent plates 102 can be made extremely thin, for example, several tens of μm. For this reason, even if divided and displayed on a plurality of transparent plates 102, they can be recognized as one figure. In particular, if a figure is formed on the surfaces of the adjacent transparent plates 102 facing each other, it is possible not to know that they are displayed in two parts.

  Further, in the display device 100 of the present embodiment, the adjacent transparent plates 102 are kept at a constant interval by the convex portions 108, so that the laminated transparent plates 102 are simply pressed so as not to fall apart. Good. For this reason, it becomes possible to simplify the structure of the laminated display body 101 constituted by laminating the transparent plates 102.

  Assuming that the plurality of convex portions 108 are not formed on the surface of the transparent plate 102 as in this embodiment, rib-shaped partitions are provided between the transparent plates 102 from the outer frame that supports the plurality of transparent plates 102. It is necessary to make it project and keep an interval. Alternatively, it is necessary to interpose a transparent film as a substitute for the air layer between the transparent plates 102. In the former method, that is, a method of projecting rib-shaped partitions from the outer frame, the shape of the outer frame becomes complicated. Further, since the deflection of the transparent plate 102 increases as the area of the transparent plate 102 increases, the thickness of the ribs protruding from the outer frame must be increased in order to prevent the transparent plates 102 from contacting each other. Don't be. On the other hand, in the method of forming the convex portion 108 on the surface of the transparent plate 102 as in the present embodiment, even if the outer frame is used so that the transparent plate 102 does not leave, the outer frame is between the transparent plates 102. Since it is not necessary to secure the gap, the structure of the outer frame can be simplified. Even if the area of the transparent plate 102 is increased, a gap corresponding to the height of the convex portion 108 can be secured between the adjacent transparent plate 102.

  In addition, the latter method, that is, a method in which a transparent film is interposed in place of the air layer so that the transparent plates 102 do not contact each other, is actually a film that can replace the air layer (that is, refraction). There is no transparent film having a rate of around 1.0. For this reason, it is difficult to prevent light propagating in the transparent plate 102 from entering the adjacent transparent plate 102.

D. Modified example:
Various modifications exist in the display device 100 of the present embodiment described above. Hereinafter, these modified examples will be briefly described.

D-1. First modification:
Since the display device 100 of the present embodiment can clearly display characters and figures formed on the plurality of transparent plates 102, a color image can also be displayed with high image quality. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a display device 100 of a first modification that can display a color image. As is well known, a color image can be displayed by superimposing an R (red) image, a G (green) image, and a B (blue) image. Decomposing a color image into an R color image, a G color image, and a B color image may be referred to as “separation”. Therefore, the color image to be displayed is separated, the R color image is formed on the R transparent plate 102R, the G color image is formed on the G transparent plate 102G, and the B color image is printed on the B color. Each is formed on the transparent plate 102B. The R transparent plate 102R is provided with an LED unit 106R that emits red light, the G transparent plate 102G is provided with an LED unit 106G that emits green light, and the B transparent plate 102B is provided with an LED unit that emits blue light. 106B is provided.

  As described above, since a gap corresponding to the height of the convex portion 108 is formed between the RGB transparent plates 102, the light from the respective LED units 106R, 106G, and 106B corresponds to the corresponding transparent plate. Propagate only in 102R, 102G, and 102B. As a result, red light can only emit an R-color image, green light can only emit a G-color image, and blue light can only emit a B-color image, so a high-quality color image can be displayed. can do.

  In addition, when displaying a color image by superimposing an R color image, a G color image, and a B color image in this way, it is important that the image of each color appears to overlap at the same position without shifting. . In this respect, the display device 100 according to the first modified example can make the transparent plates 102 sufficiently thin, and in addition, the space between the transparent plates 102 can be extremely narrow. Even when viewed, the positions of the R color image, the G color image, and the B color image do not appear to be shifted. As a result, a high-quality color image can be displayed.

D-2. Second modification:
In the display device 100 according to the present embodiment, a side surface (a side surface with respect to a surface on which characters, graphics, and the like are displayed) on which a plurality of transparent plates 102 are stacked may be covered with the cover member 107. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a display device 100 of a second modified example in which a side surface on which a plurality of transparent plates 102 are stacked is covered with a cover member 107.

  As described above, since a very narrow gap corresponding to the height of the convex portion 108 is formed between the plurality of transparent plates 102, if dust, dust, moisture, or the like enters the gap, It becomes difficult to remove. Therefore, if the side surface on which the plurality of transparent plates 102 are stacked is covered with the cover member 107 as in the second modification, it is possible to avoid the possibility that foreign matter may enter the narrow gap between the transparent plates 102. It becomes.

  Further, the cover member 107 may have a surface on the side facing the transparent plate 102 so as to reflect light. As described above with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the light incident from the end face of the transparent plate 102 travels through the transparent plate 102 while repeating the complete reflection on the surface of the transparent plate 102. It is discharged to the outside from the opposite end face or the lateral end face. The light emitted from the end face in this way is light that is discarded in vain, without illuminating the characters and figures formed on the surface of the transparent plate 102. Therefore, if the surface of the cover member 107 is a surface that reflects light, such as a mirror, for example, the light that is thrown away from the end face of the transparent plate 102 is returned to the inside of the transparent plate 102 again, and characters and The figure can be illuminated. As a result, characters and figures formed on the surface of the transparent plate 102 can be made brighter with less power consumption.

D-3. Third modification:
Further, when the light from the LED unit 106 is incident on the end surface of the transparent plate 102, the light may be collected using an optical system such as a lens and then incident on the end surface of the transparent plate 102. FIG. 15 illustrates a display device 100 of a third modified example in which the light condensed by the optical system 109 is incident on the end surface of the transparent plate 102 in this way.

  If the optical system 109 is used to collect the light, it is no longer necessary to provide the LED unit 106 in close contact with the end face of the transparent plate 102. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 15A, even when the LED unit 106 is provided at a position away from the end surface of the transparent plate 102, the light from the light emitting diode 106 </ b> L is transmitted by the optical system 109 to the end surface of the transparent plate 102. It is possible to efficiently enter the transparent plate 102 by condensing the light into the transparent plate 102.

  In particular, the transparent plate 102 is transparent, and characters and figures formed with transparent ink on the surface of the transparent plate 102 are also transparent. Therefore, if the LED unit 106 is provided away from the end surface of the transparent plate 102, It is also possible to obtain the following effects on production. That is, the laminated display body 101 on which the transparent plate 102 is laminated is suspended. Then, the LED unit 106 is provided at a position away from the multilayer display body 101, and the light from the light emitting diode 106 </ b> L is collected by the optical system 109, thereby entering from the end face of the transparent plate 102. In this way, it is possible to display characters and figures suddenly shining and emerging, even though it looks like no device is connected just by hanging a transparent board It becomes.

  Further, when the light condensed using the optical system 109 is incident from the end face of the transparent plate 102, the direction of the central axis in which the light travels is set as shown in FIG. It is also possible to tilt it slightly. In this way, most of the light incident on the transparent plate 102 has a certain angle with respect to the surface of the transparent plate 102 and travels inside the transparent plate 102 while being reflected by the surface. It is possible to efficiently shine characters and figures formed with transparent ink on the surface.

  Furthermore, if the light is collected using the optical system 109, it is possible to use a large light emitting diode 106L that emits stronger light. That is, as shown in FIG. 15C, even when the light emitting surface of the light emitting diode 106L is larger than the thickness of the transparent plate 102, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 106L is condensed by the optical system 109, thereby The light can be efficiently incident on the end face of 102. As a result, characters and figures formed on the surface of the transparent plate 102 can be illuminated more brightly.

  While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and is not limited to the wording of each claim unless it departs from the scope described in each claim. Improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can also be added as appropriate to the extent that those skilled in the art can easily replace them.

  In the various embodiments described above, the transparent plate 102 is directly observed. However, the transparent plate 102 may be visually observed through a transparent protective cover. At this time, a small convex portion 108 may be formed on at least one of the surfaces so that the protective cover and the transparent plate 102 do not contact each other. In this case, the surface of the transparent plate 102 is scratched and a portion that should not be shined is shined, or the ink layer 103 printed on the surface of the transparent plate 102 is peeled off, and a portion intended to shine is not shining. It is possible to avoid the situation. In addition, since an air layer is formed between the transparent plate 102 and the protective cover, the light propagating through the transparent plate 102 enters the protective cover, and the protective cover is scratched. It becomes possible to avoid becoming difficult to see.

It is explanatory drawing which showed a mode that the display apparatus 100 of a present Example was installed in the game hall with the game machine 12. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the display apparatus 100 is provided between the gaming machine 12 and the gaming machine 12. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which showed a mode that the display apparatus 100 of a present Example was attached to the base 20. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which showed the rough structure of the display apparatus 100 of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the transparent plate 102 and the LED unit 106 incorporated in the display apparatus 100 of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed the principle displayed so that the transparent ink layer 103 formed in the surface of the transparent plate 102 might surface. It is explanatory drawing which showed the reason why a character and a figure can be displayed shining, even when the transparent sheet 104 is affixed on the surface of the transparent board. It is explanatory drawing which showed a mode that the ink layer 103 was made to shine using the microparticles | fine-particles 103p. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the problem which arises when the several transparent plate 102 is laminated | stacked simply. It is explanatory drawing which showed the method to laminate | stack the transparent plate 102 in the display apparatus 100 of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated a mode that the several convex part 108 was formed in the surface of the transparent plate. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated a mode that the display content was switched using the display apparatus 100 of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the display apparatus 100 of the 1st modification. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the display apparatus 100 of the 2nd modification. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the display apparatus 100 of the 3rd modification.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... island, 12 ... gaming machine, 20 ... base, 22 ... frame,
24 ... guide rail, 26 ... guide rail, 100 ... display device,
101 ... laminated display, 102 ... transparent plate, 103 ... ink layer,
103p ... fine particles, 104 ... transparent sheet, 106 ... LED unit,
107: Cover member 108: Convex part 109 ... Optical system

Claims (6)

In a display device that displays predetermined items on a transparent display board,
A laminated display body formed by laminating a plurality of the display plates;
A light incident part for entering light from the end face of each display plate constituting the laminated display body toward the inside of the display plate,
The laminated display body is a display body that is laminated in a state in which a gap is formed between the adjacent display plates by a plurality of convex portions provided at intervals on the surface of the display plate,
A display device characterized in that a light scattering region for scattering light reaching the surface from the inside of the display plate is formed in a predetermined shape on the surface of each display plate constituting the laminated display body. The display device according to claim 1,
The display device is characterized in that the convex portions of the display plate are convex portions provided at positions of at least four corners of the display plate. The display device according to claim 1 or 2,
The display device, wherein the convex portion of the display plate is a convex portion formed by attaching a resin material to the surface of the display plate by printing. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The laminated display body is configured by laminating at least three display panels.
The light incident unit is configured to make red light incident on at least one display panel, green light incident on at least one other display panel, and blue light on the remaining at least one display panel. A display device, wherein the display device is a light incident portion for entering light. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
In the laminated display body, a side surface formed by laminating a plurality of the display plates is covered with a cover member. The display device according to claim 5,
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is a member formed such that a surface facing the side surface of the multilayer display body reflects light.

Images